The Forrest City times., 1887-12-10
mITKIEWICz TALKS ABOUT CHINA
X Weeks Wages the Price Of a Drink -Ouly the Lowest Classes smoke n.,fnv,,


 Opium.
 Count Mitkiewicz talked freely the other even ng. says The Net0 Fork 7ti6taae about the recent visit to China. during which he obtained his confessions from the Chinese governs ment which have set Europe agog. and opened the way. he thinks. for the introduction there of American bank ing and railroad building and for the development Of that great eoiintry in accordance with American ideas and systems of enterprise.
 You must remember, said the count, stroking his handsome side- whiskers, which are of an unusual and intense auburn, .'tbat l have been an AmerSsn citizen for twenty years. 50 you see that if is more than quarter of century since l turned my back upon Russian conservatism and came here io fill my lungs with the inspiring air of this grand country. 1 know better than many who were born here what it is to be an American citizen, for have been compelled to see the reverse side ot Shs YaetuFe II your young men coula s91lais what centuries of bgotry, JfSSssSs kni want of enterprise WI . -iEs ta people they would have much higher appreciation of tho country they are living in. Please don't call me count agaln. 1 am no longer the bearer of foreign title. When l took the oath Of allegiance to the constitution of the United States I became plain Mir Alitkiewicz. When upon an errand of diplomacy, like the one l have com pleted in China, where 1 must meet nobles and men of state, title is an advantage, perhaps, but in America. with all whose good opinion is worth having it is worse than useless. 1t is wholly out of date here-obsolete, that is the word.
 What kind of a man is u Hung Chang, you askP A very pleasant man indeed, to do business with. do not wonder that Gen. Grant thought highly of him, for he is well-informed per son and gentleman. l was surprised at his thorough knowledge of the history of Europe. He manifested wonderful acquaintance with the various eras and reigns of the several countries as he took them up one by one As to this country, could not but be astonished at his familiarity with the notable events in American history. He was able to begin at it's discovery by Christopher Columbus, knew all about the settlement of the several colonies. the Revolutionary war. the causes of the civil war; in fact, I found him as thoroughly con versant with the salient points of American progress and development as the majority of graduates from the colleges and universities.
 Did you find the judicious use of camphagne an assistance in pushing forward your diplomatic venture among the Chinese p'' the count was asked.
 No, indeed,' was the reply. "l ia not need such appliances. l inher- tied the art of diplomacy-drank il from my mothers breast, as it were. But speaking of campagne. that is something the use of which is almost unknown in China, and the same ma J be said of brandy, whisky, gin, rum, and all kinds of liquor. Of course, l refer now to the superior classes. It would be well if the prohibitionists hero could bring about such an over wheIming and uncompromising disgust for intoxicating liquor as exists in Chna. A man who drinks brandy lhero is ostracjsed. He is placed wholly beyond the pale of decent association. No one trusts him or holds any inter- course with hin. He might as we'll be dead.
 This is owing, partly to general disgust of the reliability of persons under the influence of liquor. They are looked upon as we regard those subject to spells of insanity. Then the cost of liquor is so great in China in comparison with a Chinaman's earn ings that it can not be obtained by peo- ple of ordinary means. A man is not likely to pay weeks wages for q drink of liquor. So one who does buy 1t appears in the light of fool, while the use of it gives to the user reputa- ton for insanity. The national senti- ment is thoroughly against it. If the prohibitionists and temperance advo- cates in this country could materializc such a sentiment it would be found far more powerful than any laws for the prevention of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor that can be made.n
 How about opion smoking ?"
 '.The sentiment is the same as to opium with the better classes as in re. gard to liquor. No self-respecting Chinaman would smoke opium or use ii | In any form.
 When will the syndicate for which you have obtained the concessions from the Chinese government begin opera tions e''
 1 .'Atonce. There is no question about the money. Men of capital in Paris, Berlin. St Petersburg are interested.
 ''Is there no danger that the Chinese
 may go back on their agreement witt i you P''
 Not in the least" replied Coun Mitkiewioz ''If they did they woul' ! be putting their necks again under En glish heels. This they will nsyer do.